Hundreds of ZANU PF youths reportedly invaded a Shurugwi gold mine owned by Urayayi Marima and went away with one tonne of gold ore.
Bravo Mine in Wonderer located about 10 kilometres from Shurugwi Mine was allegedly invaded on Thursday last week by the marauding youths who disarmed the guards at the mine.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Midlands Provincial spokesperson Emmanuel Mahoko told Masvingo Mirror that he was yet to receive a report on the incident.
The mine owner, Marima, confirmed the incident and said that it happened while he was away in Kwekwe.
Marima said the youths descended on his mine aboard several kombis and other cars demanding a shift so that they could mine for gold in the tunnels but they were turned down. He said:
They thoroughly beat everyone around and disarmed security at the mine before firing bullets into the air.
They fled the mine with a tonne of gold ore when they heard that the police was coming. These youth are using the ZANU PF name to try and grab people’s mines.
To get this mine I went through proper protocols and even engaged Shurugwi North MP Robson Nyathi.
ZANU PF Shurugwi District Coordinating Committee (DCC) secretary for youth affairs Newton Mukunzwe expressed displeasure over the invasion of the mine by the youths. Said Mukunzwe:
These youth did not inform or engage with any party structure. I was informed that they invaded Bravo mine singing chimurenga songs.
Youths should come and engage their leadership over these issues before taking action because if they need a place to mine the DCC will assist so that they don’t terrorise people who have invested a lot of money into their mining claims.
Again, we are under COVID-19 and everyone should adhere to COVID-19 protocols.